Indian Khadi, muslin cloth to be made globally viable

The Indian Government is considering branding domestic products like muslin and khadi as internationally marketable products. Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Uday Kumar Varma, said that the Ministry is planning to choose 50 specific commodities like Jharkhandi tussar and Murshidabadi muslin and redesign them and up-grade their packaging to transform them into globally viable products. As a result, the muslin of Murshidabad and tussar of Jharkhand may soon become a part of global fashion lovers’ collection. Speaking at a National Institute of Design (NID) event, Mr. Varma said that for the 12th Five-Year Plan, Ministry of MSME has resolved to lay emphasis on investments in village and khadi industries sector. He stated that the village industries have immense potential and their turnover is more than that of Hindustan Lever’s, and hence it would soon get attention. He added that domestic products like khadi, muslin and tussar fail to stand in competition in the global markets, because they fall short with regards to designing and packaging. Thus, with an intention to encourage the sector, the Government is planning to spend on branding, designing and marketing of these products, he said. According to Mr. Varma, it would take another 10 NID’s to meet the design requirements of the industry. Presently, the Asian Development Bank, together with the Government, is providing financial support of US$ 150 million to 300 khadi institutions. Meanwhile, it is proposed to launch 20 new sale points for khadi in metros and State capitals under the Khadi Reforms and Development Programme, which would even provide assistance in modernisation and renovation of existing stores.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India